Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Game (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

For decades, campaign finance reform has been an on-going topic of discussion. In particular, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA) was heralded as a major breakthrough in controlling the flow of money into campaigns. Almost immediately, political players found other ways to financially manipulate the new laws. Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Game provides an in-depth look at the history of political campaign finance reform with special emphasis on legislative, FEC, and federal court actions from the 1970s to present. In particular, the authors examine the ways that campaigns and independent groups have sought to make end-runs around existing campaign finance rules. Oftentimes the loopholes they find make a significant impact on an election, sparking the next round of campaign finance reform. New rules are then enacted, and new loopholes are found. Like a big political shell game, the amount of money in politics never actually decreases, but instead gets moved around from one organization to another.

Politics & Social Sciences

Williams, Glenda C.

Copeland, Gary A.

Smith Mississippi University fo, Melissa M.

Powell University of Alabama at, Larry

Politics & Government

Lexington Books

For decades, campaign finance reform has been an on-going topic of discussion. In particular, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (B.C.R.A.) was heralded as a major breakthrough in controlling the flow of money into campaigns. Almost immediately, political players found other ways to financially manipulate the new laws. Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Game provides an in-depth look at the history of political campaign finance reform with special emphasis on legislative, F.E.C., and federal court actions from the 1970s to present. In particular, the authors examine the ways that campaigns and independent groups have sought to make end-runs around existing campaign finance rules. Oftentimes the loopholes they find make a significant impact on an election, sparking the next round of campaign finance reform. New rules are then enacted, and new loopholes are found. Like a big political shell game, the amount of money in politics never actually decreases, but instead gets moved around from one organization to another.

More than two billion dollars. That’s how much money was spent in the 2012 presidential campaign—the most expensive campaign in history. Each party raised and spent more than one billion dollars as the traditional boundaries of campaign financing were ignored. Both parties could do so because they were playing in a game with new rules—rules that largely developed after the 2010 Supreme Court ruling known as Citizens United. That case removed many restrictions on donation limits, particularly for corporations and unions. The result was the development of a new set of political players called “Super PACs” that were allowed to enter the political arena and spend an unlimited amount of money on behalf of clients. This book looks at how Super PACs raised and spent money and influenced the 2012 election. It provides an insightful look at how both right- and left-leaning groups approached the election and impacted the political process.

Dark Money, Super PACs, and the 2012 Election (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Business & Money

Economics

More than two billion dollars. That’s how much money was spent in the 2012 presidential campaign—the most expensive campaign in history. Each party raised and spent more than one billion dollars as the traditional boundaries of campaign financing were ignored. Both parties could do so because they were playing in a game with new rules—rules that largely developed after the 2010 Supreme Court ruling known as Citizens United. That case removed many restrictions on donation limits, particularly for corporations and unions. The result was the development of a new set of political players called “Super PACs” that were allowed to enter the political arena and spend an unlimited amount of money on behalf of clients.This book looks at how Super PACs raised and spent money and influenced the 2012 election. It provides an insightful look at how both right- and left-leaning groups approached the election and impacted the political process.

Third Parties, Outsiders, and Renegades: Modern Challenges to the Two-Party System in Presidential Elections (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Review\n"Melissa Smith has done a remarkable job of reviewing and summarizing the role of outsiders in modern American presidential elections. Her rhetorical history technique looks at how these candidates, who were often on the fringes of establishment politics, gradually pushed for changes that altered how the public viewed political candidates and their issues. She gradually builds this rhetorical history into a comprehensive explanation for the success of Donald Trump and his outsider campaign. At first glance, some readers may be surprised at how such disparate candidates as Shirley Chisolm and Ross Perot contribute to this legacy, but Smith makes the connection well. It’s an impressive book that is well written and supported by in-depth research. The result is a remarkable study that every presidential scholar should examine." -- Larry Powell, University of Alabama at Birmingham\n"Dr. Smith’s timely book reminds scholars that as attractive as the two major parties are, there is much to learn from outsider candidates. From the early populists to the modern Tea Party and beyond, this meticulously researched book shows the commonalities that make political outsiders both compelling and confusing. Dr. Smith tackles complex subjects of history and theory clearly and concisely, making this book useful to scholars and students alike. Given the current trends in political discourse, scholars would be wise to consider the ways in which these candidates carve out rhetorical space, and this book is an excellent primer on those emerging trends." 
-- Mike Milford, Auburn University\n"Dr. Smith helps us understand an important part of the American political process—how outsiders challenge the two party system. Her case study method helps students and scholars understand challengers in great depth, and the concluding section helps bring it all together. Particularly salient is Chapter 13 on President Trump and the aftermath of the 2020 election. Americans from across the political divide need to understand the particular phenomenon of those who feel like outsiders even when their candidate controls the White House." 
-- William F. Harlow, University of Texas of the Permian Basin\nThird Parties, Outsiders, and Renegades analyzes 10 third-party, outsider, or renegade presidential candidates and explores each one's impact on the political process. The list of modern outsider candidates who have attracted the public’s attention is fairly long, but most of the time the candidates never garner enough support to become elected or they self-destruct somewhere along the way. A few, however, have taken votes away from more mainstream candidates and changed the course of political parties or election outcomes. This book provides readers with an analysis of how their rhetoric, political tactics, and issues have challenged the political status quo and impacted later campaigns. The future viability of outsider candidates is discussed in light of current political polarization and the legacy of Donald J. Trump, the first elected outsider president, and considers how outsider candidates might be able to compete in upcoming elections given the current political divisions within the nation. Scholars and students of communication, political science, and rhetoric will find this book particularly interesting.

Social Sciences

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Smith Mississippi University fo, Melissa M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Smith Mississippi University fo, Melissa M.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Smith Mississippi University fo, Melissa M.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Game (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Campaign Finance Reform: The Political Shell Game (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Dark Money, Super PACs, and the 2012 Election (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Dark Money, Super PACs, and the 2012 Election (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Third Parties, Outsiders, and Renegades: Modern Challenges to the Two-Party System in Presidential Elections (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)

Third Parties, Outsiders, and Renegades: Modern Challenges to the Two-Party System in Presidential Elections (Lexington Studies in Political Communication)